War Crimes

26

Jaina was still numb from the revelation. It would wear off, she knew, but for the moment, she welcomed it. Her emotions were so conflicted, so knife-sharp, she did not wish to examine them—not here, not now, certainly. Varian had not immediately whirled on her—or his son—as a traitor, and right now, that was enough. He was waiting to see how the rest unfolded.

So, truth be told, was she.

Jaina’s cozy little parlor appeared, its fireplace flanked by two chairs and rows of books, and she grew dizzy for a moment. A simple thing, her parlor. Just a room. And it was gone, blown to violet dust along with everyone and everything in Theramore. The crackle of the fire, the clink of teacups on saucers, the sound of laughter or lively, intellectual conversation—never to be heard again.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene, but reached out blindly to Kalecgos. He caught her hand and held it tight.

And the sight of herself, in a hastily thrown-on robe—

Golden hair, kind eyes, a face that bore a single furrow in its brow, lips that knew more of gentle words than shrieks of pain.

It was an alien face.

Jaina’s heart was shattered at the visible evidence of how truly innocent she had been not that long ago. She did not want to break down, not in front of everyone, and Kalec knew that. So he made no move to wrap an arm around her or comfort her other than to grip her hand, steady as stone.

The Vision-Jaina paced, then turned to greet her visitor. How small she looked next to a tauren—Jaina thought the pedestrian observation a little oasis in the midst of her personal emotional hurricane. He wore a cloak and stood quietly, not protesting the roughness displayed by the guards who led him in.

“Leave us,” Jaina said.

My voice . . . Did I truly sound so young?

“My lady? Leave you alone with this . . . creature?” one of the guards protested. She glanced at the guard sharply.

“He has come to me in good faith, and you will not speak so of him.”

The guard blushed a little, embarrassed. Then, bowing to his mistress, he and the other withdrew.

Perith pulled off his hood. “Lady Jaina Proudmoore. My name is Perith Stormhoof. I come on orders from my high chieftain. He asked me to give you the mace. He said . . . it would help you to believe my words are truth.”

Fearbreaker. An exquisite and ancient dwarven weapon, given by Magni Bronzebeard to Anduin Wrynn, who had in turn given it to Baine Bloodhoof in that selfsame parlor. Only now did Jaina remember that she had held it during this meeting. It was clutched in the then-Jaina’s hands, as pristine and perfect as the day it was forged. It bore a head of silver wrapped in bands of gold, and was etched with runes and dotted with small gems.

“I would never mistake Fearbreaker,” the then-Jaina said. Nor would anyone else. Those who knew Anduin would know Fearbreaker, and so now Tyrande had exposed the prince of Stormwind as well as the lady of Theramore.

“He knew you would not. Lady Jaina—my high chieftain thinks gratefully and highly of you, and it is because of the memory of the night when he received Fearbreaker that he has sent me with this warning. Northwatch Hold has fallen to the Horde.”

Angry cries started to come, some directed at Jaina, but most at Baine. Jaina understood why. Going to Jaina for aid against Magatha—an internal conflict—was not the same as warning her about a Horde attack against the Alliance. For the first time in what felt like ages, Jaina found herself concerned for the well-being of a member of the Horde.

Taran Zhu struck the gong, and while the tension did not subside, the spectators fell quiet. No one wanted to be expelled from the courtroom at this juncture.

The image of Perith continued speaking. “It further wounds him that this victory was won with the usage of dark shamanic magic. He despises these actions, but to protect his people, Baine has agreed that the tauren will continue to serve the Horde as they are needed. He wishes me to emphasize that at times, this obligation brings him little joy.”

Some of the anger abated, but the room still fairly crackled with fury.

“Well do I believe that,” Jaina heard herself say. “Still, he has participated in an act of violence against the Alliance. Northwatch Hold—”

“Is only a start,” Perith said, interrupting her. “Hellscream would reach much farther than a simple hold.”

“What?” Even now Jaina recalled feeling as if she had been punched in the stomach.

“His goal is nothing less than the conquest of the continent. He will shortly be ordering the Horde to march on Theramore. And mark me well, their numbers are strong. As you are now, you will fall. My high chieftain remembers the aid you gave him and asked me to warn you. He has no wish to see you caught unawares.”

“Your high chieftain,” she said, her heart full, “is a truly honorable tauren. I am proud to be so highly regarded by him. I thank him for this timely warning. Please tell him it will help save innocent lives.”

“He regrets that a warning is all he can give you, my lady. And . . . he asks you to please take Fearbreaker, and return it to the one who so kindly gifted it to him. Baine feels that it is no longer his to keep.”

There, Jaina thought, surely Vol’jin will understand; perhaps he even knew about this—

“I will see to it that Fearbreaker is returned to its former owner,” the image of Jaina said. Her voice was rich with warmth and gratitude. I was . . . good, Jaina realized. I was good, then . . .

She could tell that Perith saw that as he bowed deeply to her. Quickly Jaina scribbled a note, sealed it, and gave it to the Longwalker.

“This will ensure your safe passage through Alliance territory, if you are caught.”

His voice rumbled with laughter. “I will not be, but your concern is appreciated.”

“And tell your noble high chieftain there will be no rumors of a tauren Longwalker visiting me. To all who would ask, I will say that word reached me from an Alliance scout who managed to escape the battle. Take refreshment, then return safely.”

“May the Earth Mother smile upon you, Lady,” said Perith. “I understand my high chieftain’s choice even better now that I have met you.”

“One day,” the Jaina of the past said earnestly, “perhaps we will fight on the same side.”

“One day, perhaps. But that day is not today.”

Nor was it today, here in the present, Jaina thought. “So, Your Majesty,” she said, addressing Varian and keeping her gaze forward as the scene faded. “Are you going to arrest me for treason?”

“I have one question.”

She turned and looked at him. His scarred face was in profile, and his angry gaze was not on her, but on Baine. “Do you believe Baine knew about the mana bomb? Do you think he was part of the plan to bring all the generals to Theramore?”

“No.” The answer came swiftly, certainly, and there was a strange easing in her chest at the single word.

Varian nodded slowly. “Good,” he said. “And I haven’t decided yet. When this is over, you and Anduin are going to tell me everything.” Now he did look at her, his blue eyes showing the banked fires of his emotions. “Everything.”

“Chu’shao Whisperwind,” said Taran Zhu, “do you have anything further to ask of this witness?”

“No, I do not, Lord Zhu,” Tyrande said.

“Chu’shao Bloodhoof, you may have a moment with the Accused and—”

“I do not need a moment,” Garrosh interrupted. It had been so long since Garrosh had done anything other than sit and listen that Jaina was startled to hear his voice. It was loud, and powerful, and it carried, but it was not the arrogant bellow she was accustomed to hearing from the orc. “I have made my decision.”

“The Defender should speak—” Taran Zhu began.

“I will speak,” Garrosh said, raising his voice even louder, “and I will keep Baine Bloodhoof.”

Baine’s ears swiveled fully forward at that. Clearly he, like everyone else, Jaina supposed, had assumed that Garrosh would be outraged at the tauren’s fraternization with the enemy.

Tyrande seemed unable to believe it. “Fa’shua, I—”

“The Accused is happy with his chu’shao,” said Taran Zhu. Even he seemed a bit surprised, but he recovered almost immediately. “I suggest you accept that with good grace, Chu’shao Whisperwind. Do you have any further witnesses to summon?”

“Only one more, Fa’shua.”

“You shall do so on the morrow. Chu’shao Bloodhoof, are you prepared to subsequently bring your witnesses?”

“I am indeed,” said Baine.

“Very good. I think we have had enough surprises for one day. I will remind everyone as you depart—this temple is a place of peace. Whatever your feelings are regarding the events of today, speak of them gently, and act on them not at all.” He struck the gong three times, to formally end the day’s activities.

Jaina rose to leave, but Varian put a hand on her arm. “Not yet. We’re going to have a little talk.”